Soap-press



(No Model.) a ShetsSheet 1.

0.110 91". SOAP PRESS.

No. 473,505. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

O. HOPE. SOAP mass.

No. 473.505. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

fl wa/tmmo 5140mm 5 Farms co., vum'mutkn. wAsnmeTOm o, c.

Unrrno STATES PATENT Orrlcn.

CHARLES I-IOFF, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SOAP-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 473,505, dated April26, 1892. Application filed Tune 20, 1888. Serial No. 277,661. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES Horn, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Soap-Presses, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved'machine for pressing soap cakes and formarking, oruamenting, or lettering them.

Its object is to provide means whereby the cakes are fed to the machineat some distance from the plungers and automatically discharged afterbeing properlyimpressed,whereby all danger to the attendant is obviated.

Its object is also to provide means whereby the dies and molds areautomatically moistened and kept clean.

Its object is also to produce a machine that requires little attentionand may be run continuously, and thus turn out work more rapidly audbetter than those nowin common use.

The invention will be first fully described in connection with theaccompanying drawings, and then particularly referred to and pointed outin the claims.

Referringto the drawings,i n which likeparts are indicated by similarreference letters and numerals wherever they occur throughout thevarious views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is anenlarged face elevation of the click-movement by which the revolvingmold-carrying table is intermittently rotated. Fig. 4 is a detail view,in end elevation, of the means for releasing the click when the table isto be stopped for the purpose of feeding, stamping, and discharging thesoap. Fig. 5 is a detail view, in side elevation, of the lower part ofthe machine. This view is from the opposite side to that shown inFig. 1. Fig. 6 isaplan view of the revolving table with the soap-moldssecured upon it. Fig. 7 is an inverted view of the table and inclinedtracks. Fig. 8 is an axial section through the revolving table, takenthrough line 00 no of Fig. 6. Fig 9 is a detail in plan view of thedevice for releasing or uncoupling the click-movement by which themold-carrying table is revolved.

Referring to the parts,A indicates the iron frame of the machine inwhich the operative parts are mounted.

B is a circular table mounted to revolve in the frame A by means of ahollow hub or concentric journal Z), which has its hearings in saidframe. Upon this table are secured the soap-molds 1). (Shown in Fig. 6.)Each mold is fitted with a movable bottom 17 which is secured upon topof vertically-moving plungcrs b Said pluugers slide in verticalperforations in table B and are moved up by an inclined stationaryring-track B, Fig. l, and drawn down bya similarly-inclined ring-track13 Fig. 5, upon the opposite side of the machine. For this purpose thetrack 18 has a T-shaped groove in it, and the lower ends of the shanks bhave annular grooves or necks 19 into which grooves theinwardly-projecting walls of the T-shaped grooves enter. The enlargedlower portions of the heads of the plungers b entering the enlargedportion of the T-shaped groove, draw the plungers and their attachedbottoms 11 down after the soap cake has been discharged from the mold,so as to prepare the mold for the reception of another blank. The blanksare placed in the molds at one side of the machine (at mold 1) and theimpressed cakes discharged from the opposite side at mold 5.

I will now describe the means by which the table Bis intermittentlyrevolved to bring the molds successively under the plunger 0, whichcarries the upper stamping-die c.

Secured upon one end of the driving-shaft D is a Wheel E, having acrankpin 6, upon which pin is journaled one end of a pitman e, whichcarries at the opposite end a vertically-s1iding toothed rack 6 whichrack is guided in its movements in boxes a which are secured upon theframe A. The rack e engages the teeth of a pinion F, which is secured toa driving disk or wheel F. Both pinion and wheel are journaled upon. thetable-driviug shaft F To the opposite side of the disk F from which thecog or pinion F is secured is pivo'ted a pawlf, the end of which is heldupon the periphery of a notched disk f, which is secured upon the shaftF by a spring f The pinion F and disk F are held against the ratchet ornotched disk f by a collar f which is secured upon the shaft F againstthe inner face of the pinion. It will be seen that by thisclick-movement the shaft F is intermittently revolved in one directionupon the downward stroke of the rack or by the pawlfengaging the notchin the ratchetf', while it remains stationary upon the upward stroke ofthe rack.

As the plunger C and the other devices to be hereinafter described aredriven from the same shaft as the rack-bar e and must continue theirmovements after the table is stopped, some provision is necessarytodisengage the pawl from the ratchetf before the rack e has reached thelimit of its downward stroke. It is also necessary that said pawl bedisengaged at the moment the table has been revolved one-sixth of arevolution (if the fable be provided with six molds, as here shown) inorder to bring each mold successively under the plunger 0. For thispurpose I have provided a sliding tappet G, having an inclined orbeveled end, which is intermittently brought in the path of a stud f onpawl f and throws the pawl out of engagement with the notch of wheel f.The tappet is operated by a lever g, fulcrumed at g on the frame of themachine. The upperend of the lever is provided with a friction-wheel,which is held in the groove of cam G by a slotted guide-yoke 9 in whichthe end of the lever plays. The lower end of the lever is connected to asliding barg which has an arm g at its opposite end, to which the tappetG is secured. The arm g is pivoted on a studbolt between its connectionwith arm g and the tappet G, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Upon the end of shaft F is secured a beveled pinion F which meshes witha similar beveled pinion F which latter is secured upon the lower end ofa vertical shaft F upon the opposite end of which shaft is secured acog-wheel F", which meshes with the teeth of a cogged rim b upon thelower edge of the table B. It will thus be seen that as the shaft F isintermittently revolved by the click-movement above described anintermittent rotary motion will be imparted to the table B.

The means by which the table B is stopped in proper position to bringthe molds under the plunger will now be described. The periphery oftable B has six uniformly-spaced perforations b the mouths of which areenlarged or flaring to receive successively-the end of a sliding pin orrod H, which is guided horizontally in the frame of the machine andactuated by a grooved cam H, secured upon the driving-shaft D, throughapitman h, which carries a friction-wheel that enters the groove in cam11-. The opposite end of the pitman h is connected to a bell-crank leverh. The opposite end of the bell-crank lever is connected to the slidingrod H by a connectingrod H In order to check the momentum of the tableand prevent jarring, I have provided a brake, which comes into play justbefore the perforationsb comein positionto receive the rod or pin H. Thebrake-shoe I, Fig. 1, is secured upon one end of a sliding rod 1, guidedin boxes 2', secured on the frame of the machine. The brake-rod isactuated by avertically-reciprocating rod 1 which carr1es afriction-pulley at its upper end, which pulley is held against theperiphery of a cam or eccentric l secured upon the main shaft D by acoiled spring 71', the upper end of which is attach ed to a bracket isecured to or Pl'OJ ecting from the frame A. Thelower end of the rod Iis connected to one arm of abell-crank lever. (Shown in dotted line,Fig. 1.) The opposite end of the bell-crank is connected to thebrake-rod. The brake-shoe is held with elastic pressure againstthe rimof tableB by springs l, the tension of which is regulated by nuts uponthe end of the brake-rod between the arms of the looped spring. Thetable is stopped in position to receive the pin H. by a sliding rod J,which is guided in a box and is thrown in the path of stops N,- whichproject from the rim of table B. The stop-rod J has its outer end bentat an angle and per forated. Through this perforation the end of thebrake-rod 1' passes, one of the nuts for regulating thetension of springI being upon each side of the bent end of the stop rod or pin J. Thestop-rod and brake-rod are actuated by the same means andsimultaneously. Thus the molds on table 13 willbe brought accuratelyunder the plunger-die, and this is necessary, because in order to insureaccurate work the upper die must accurately fit the lower one, and ifthe dies should not register properly the machine would be broken.

In practicethe faces of the upper die 0 and lower die b are suitablyengraved or orna mented, so that both top and bottom of the finishedcake are suitably impressed.

'The plunger 0, carrying the upper die 0, is vertically reciprocated bya flanged cam O, which is secured upon the driving-shaft D. The flangeof cam O is embraced by two friction-wheels, which are journaled in theupper end of plunger 0, the one 0 bearing upon the periphery of the camO and the other 0 bearing upon the inside rim of the flange. By thismeans the plunger is brought down quickly at each revolution. of theshaft and quickly returned, the highest part c of the cam being a shortcurve for this purpose. The design is to hold the plunger at its upperposition during the greater part of the revolution of the shaft D, sothat the die moistening and cleansing brushes, hereinafter to bedescribed, will have ample time to perform their functions.

Attached to the plunger C is an arm 0 which carries at its outer end avertical rod 0 to the lower end of which is secured a fiat plate 0 Thisplate and its attachments are ar ranged to be actuated by the plunger 0and brought down at the same time to act upon the blank cake in the moldin advance of the one under the action of the die 0. The Oh j ect ofthis is to fairly set the soap-blan k in the mold preparatory toreceiving the action ofthe finishing-die c.

So far as described itwill be seen that the blanks are placed in themolds successively, the table intermittently revolved to bring the moldsunder the action of the dies, and elevated out of the molds preparatoryto being discharged therefrom. It is, however, necessary to thecontinuous operation of the machinethat the molds be moistened andcleansed after each operation to prevent the soap adhering and to insureclean sharp impressions. For this purpose I have provided a movable orsliding brush to cleanse and at the same time moisten the upper movabledie and a stationary brush to moisten and cleanse the lower die, withfountain attachments, whereby the brushes are continuously supplied withwater. The sliding brush L is litted in guides Z, which guides aresupported from brackets Z, secured to the frame of the machine. Thesliding brush has its bristles projecting from top and bottom to sweepboth the die and the cake to be pressed and is actuated by crank-leverL, which is pivoted upon a bracket-Z The lower end of the lever isconnected to the sliding brush by a hinged link Z Theupper horizontalarm of the lever L has a laterally-projecting pin carrying afriction-wheel l, which enters a grooved cam L secured upon thedriving-shaft D, by which the arm L is vibrated to pass the brush underand in contact with the die 0 and cake to be pressed while they are atrest, the die being in its upper position. The stationary brush M issupported above the path of the molds and forward of the particular onefrom which the finished cake is discharged by a bracket-rod m, so thatas the table is advanced one space after the cake is discharged the moldfrom which it has been discharged will be swept by the stationary brushin its passage under it and properly cleansed and moist.- ened. Thebacks of the brushesL and M are perforated, as is also the bottom of thepan or vessel m, secured upon the top of the brush M.

N is a water-tank having faucets n n, over the ends of which are securedflexible tubes Z and m which conduct water from the tank N to the vesselm on brush M and upon top of the sliding brush L. The brushes are keptmoist by the operator regulating the flow of water from the tank N bymeans of the fa'ucets n n. The water passes through the perforations inthe backs of the brushes and thence to the bristles. The top of thetable B inclines from the outer edge to the center opening, so that thesurplus or overfiow from the brushes will be discharged through thecentral perforated hub or journal of the table.

I will now describe the means for discharging the finished cakes fromthe machine either upon a slide or endless conveyor-belt.

(Not shown.) 0 is a wheel or disk journaled on a pin in the end of abracket 0, which is secured to the frame of the machine. An intermittentvibratory mot-ion is imparted .to the disk 0 by a pitman 0, actuated byarod 0 which is secured to the reciprocating dieplunger C. To the disk 0are pivoted two arms 0 0, one above the other and both guided by a yoke0 extending from thejournal around the periphery of the disk 0. When thetable is brought to rest and the die descends to stamp the cake broughtunderit, the cake just finished is brought in front of thedischarging-arms 0 0 the disk 0 will be given a partial revolution, thearm 0 is first brought against the side of the finished cake, tilting itup slightly, when themore-quicklyadvancing arm 0' passes under thebottom of the cake, throwing it from the mold upon the conveyer. The arm0 is adjustable in a circumferential slot in the disk 0 for the purposeof regulating it to'discharge with more or less force.

In order to insure an accurate placing of the blank within the mold whenthe blanks are fed by hand, as illustrated in the drawings, I haveprovided a guide P. (Shown in full line, Fig. 2, and in dotted line,Fig. 6.) This consists of an arm secured to the frame underneath thetableB. The arm is bent around the edge of the table and over the top.The upper end is bent to a right angle and is so placed that whenthetable stops the empty mold will be directly underneath the angularend of the arm P, which then is practically an. upward extension of oneend and side of the mold beneath it. Now to feed the blank cake to themold it is placed and held in the angle of arm P, and so soon as thetable stops it is dropped down into the mold. If, however, the cakeshould notbe placed perfectly true, the preliminary settingplate C willpress it truly in the mold before it reaches the impression-die c.

The mode of operation of the machine is as follows: The machine beingstarted, the attendant, standing in frontof the guide-bracket P, feedsthe blanks to the molds as they stop underneath this bracket. The filledmolds then pass around as the table is revolved, first coming under theaction of the presser 0 then under the action of the die 0. ]During thetime from which the blank is placed in the mold until it is impressed bythe die 0 the bottom die 19 is in the lower position, but after the nextpartial revolution of the table, after the soap cake is impressed, thelower die is forced up to the inclined track B until the mold stopsopposite the discharging-fingers of arms 0 0. After the empty moldpasses this point the lower end of the shank enters the T-groove intrack B As the table is still further revolved the bottom I) of mold Z)is drawn down preparatory to receiving another blank. The machine is.thuskept in constant motion, and the only attention it re quires is tohave the blanks fed to it.

IIO

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In asoap-press, the combination, substantially as set forth, of thevertically-reciprocating plunger 0, carrying the upper die 0, the tableB, carrying a series of molds arranged to be brought successively underthe action of the die a, a brake-shoe arranged to bear against the rimof the table, and brake mechanism connected to said shoe and actuatedfrom the driving-shaft to intermittently check the momentum of thetable, and stops similarly actuated to stop and hold the table while theplunger is brought down upon the mold beneath it.

2. In a soap-press, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore setforth, of the table B, having a cogged rim, the shafts F F pinions F FF, and the click-movement actuated from the driving-shaft for thepurpose of imparting an intermittent movement to thetable, and abrake-shoe arranged to bear against the rim of the table and connectedby a link-movement to a cam on the driving-shaft to gradually check themomentum of the table.

3. The combination of the vertically-moving die 0, revolving table B,the molds b, secured upon said table,the vertically-movable lower dies bthe tracks B B to elevate and lower said dies as the table is revolved,the gear connecting said table with its driving-shaft, and theclick-movement consisting of the disk F, ratchetf', pawlf, pinion F,rack e, pitman e, and crank-wheel E.

4. The combination, in a soap-press, of the vertically-reciprocatingplunger, the revolving table and molds, the click-movement for revolvingthe table, and the click-releasing levices consisting of the knocker G,cam G, the lever g, and rods connecting said knocker G with the cam Gfor the purpose of disconnecting the click pawl from the drivingratchet,substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination of the reciprocating upper die and mold, thereciprocating brush L, and means, such as shown, to keep the brush 7moist and pass it in contact with the upper brush M, tanks N, andconnections m Z ,leading from the tank to the brushes, for the purposeset forth.

- 7. In combination with a soap-press comprisingavertically-reciprocating table carrying molds and means to stop saidtable to bring said molds successively under the action of the upperdie, of the guide-bracketP, arranged above mold 1 for convenience infeeding the blanks to the machine, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the revolving tablecarrying molds b, and the lower die b vertically movable within saidmolds, the inclined tracks B B to alternately raise and lower said lowerdie b the vertically-reelprocating upper die, and the discharging deviceconsisting of fingers 0 o and their connections with the upper-diecarrier, whereby the die-carrier is first tilted and the cake finallydischarged from the mold.

9. In a soap press of the character described, the combination,substantially as specified, of the disk O,the arms 0 '0 pivoted to saiddisk, the arm 0 connected to the upper-die carrier, and the pitman 0,connecting said arm to the disk,whereby saiddisk is partially rotated bythe downward stroke of the die-carrier and the ends of arms 0 0 broughtagainst the finished cake to discharge it from the mold.

10. The combination of the reciprocating upper die, the revolving table,the molds se cured thereon, the moistening-brushes for said dies andmolds, and means, such as shown, to alternately bring the molds underthe upper die and moistening the dies, the said table having a hollowhub and top inclined from the molds to the center, whereby the overflowfrom the moistening devices is carried off, substantially as specified.

11. The combination of the frame A, the table and driving-shaft I),mounted to revolve therein, the molds secured upon said table, theperforated brushes for moistening said molds, the vertically-movingupper die, and the cams secured upon the driving-shaft and theirconnections, whereby the machine is operated to revolve the table, stopit in position, press the cake, and moisten the molds and dies,substantially as set forth.

CHARLES HOFF.

Witnesses:

M L. MURRAY, GEO. J. MURRAY.

